Soft front cockpit cover

ABSTRACT

A soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side rail linkage assemblies are attached to header, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at pivot points created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is lightweight and engages with the existing seal of the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/243,359, filed Apr. 2, 2014, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/807,506, filed Apr. 2,2013. This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/807,506, filed Apr. 2, 2013. The disclosures of theabove applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foldable roof assembly having a softpanel top cover that seals against a hard top portion of the roof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foldable stowable roof soft tops are commonly used in sport-utilityvehicles for recreational purposes. The foldable roof is typically movedbetween a stowed position, and a deployed position. When in the deployedposition, the foldable roof protects the occupants of the vehicle fromvarious weather conditions. The foldable roof also includes varioussections which are made of a clear material to essentially function as awindow, allowing the occupant of the vehicle to see outside of thevehicle. However, there are occasions where the weather is pleasant, andit is desired by the occupants of the vehicle to move the foldable roofto an open position such that the vehicle essentially functions withoutpart of a roof or essentially functions without a roof, and thepassenger compartment of the vehicle is exposed to the atmosphere. Thisallows the occupants of the vehicle to enjoy more favorable weatherconditions while driving.

An alternative to the convertible soft top is to use a hard top that isbulky and does not provide any open air feel without removing the entiretop. If the entire hard top is removed, it then must be stored, which isoften difficult because of the size of the top. Other convertible roofsuse a hard top that is large and bulky and does not provide any open airfeel without removing two front top panels, which is also laborious,difficult, time consuming, and ergonomically disadvantageous. If one ormore of the front top panels are removed, they then must also be stored,which is often difficult because of the size weight of the panels. Whilethis will give the occupant an open air feel, the panels are large andbulky. If the occupant wants to gain the open air feel they need to exitthe vehicle and remove the panels using multiple knobs and latches andthen store the panels. This makes for a time consuming operation as wellas a potential storage issue due to the size of the panels. They arealso hard to handle due to their size and weight and due to the factthey must be installed and removed over the operators head. In the eventof inclement weather, the panels also cannot be quickly put back inplace.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a more manageable and easilyfoldable top made of soft material to provide a top that can be openedquickly to provide what is often referred to as an open air feel, wherea portion of the top of the roof is moved from a closed or deployedposition to an open or stowed position exposing a portion of the insidevehicle cockpit/passenger compartment to the outside without removingthe top.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a foldable roof assembly having asoft panel top assembly that is in sealing engagement with a hard topportion of the roof. The soft panel top assembly has a pivotal portionthat is lightweight and folds back without the operator needing to leavethe vehicle to give the occupant a quick and easy sunroof/open airfeeling in the front cockpit. This is done more easily than with typicaltwo-panel hard top systems that are more time consuming to disengagefrom the vehicle and are bulky to handle and remove. The presentinvention also eliminates storage issues since the soft panel top foldsback rather than having to be removed entirely and stored as withconventional hard top panels.

The soft panel top assembly has two door rails connected to side sportbars of the vehicle providing a sealing surface for the doors of thevehicle as well as pivot points for the pivotal portion of the softpanel top assembly. The soft panel top assembly has two side raillinkage assemblies connected to a first bow member that is secured to awindshield frame with quick release latches. Each side bow linkageassembly is connected to opposing ends of a fixed bracket connected tothe respective door rail creating the pivot points with the use of thebrackets. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is acloseout for sealing engagement with an existing seal of the hard toproof portion. The soft panel top assembly is made lightweight by using alighter rear header, e.g., rear header closeout that is a wireframeand/or lightweight molded section, and by using minimal framing andmostly soft goods. This further helps with ease of installation and easeof cycle efforts of the pivotal portion. Further, the assembly ismountable to the vehicle without any modification, drilling of holes, orany other change to existing hardware and structure to the vehicle otherthan the removal of the manufacturers existing front cockpit panels.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a soft panel top cover assembly in aclosed position with the fabric cover removed for clarity connected to avehicle and in sealing engagement with a hardtop portion, in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the soft panel top cover assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the soft panel top cover assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the soft panel top cover assembly of FIG. 1in a closed position;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of FIG. 1 with the soft panel top coverassembly shown in an open position;

FIG. 6 is a right perspective view of the soft panel top cover assemblyof FIG. 1 with a pivotable portion in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the soft panel top cover assembly ofFIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 8 is a left perspective view of the soft panel top cover assemblyin an open position;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the soft panel top cover assembly ofFIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a side rail linkage assembly in aclosed position;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side elevation view of the side rail linkageassembly in an open position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the soft panel top cover assembly in anopen position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the soft panel top cover assemblyshowing the pivotable portion in a partially open position;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of a fabric management bow;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an attachment bracket coupled to ahardtop flange and a rear header of the soft panel top cover assembly;and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cover coupled to the rear header,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-16, there is provided a soft panel topassembly generally shown at 12 that is foldable and sealable with a hardtop roof portion generally shown at 14. The soft panel top assembly 12is connected to a vehicle 16. The vehicle 16 includes a windshield frame18 with side members 20, e.g., sport bars, extending therefrom and across bar or cross member 91 operably connecting the side members 20substantially adjacent the rear of the driver/passenger compartment.

The soft panel top assembly 12 folds back to give the occupant a quickand easy open air effect, e.g., lightweight and easily operated at ashort interval stop, without completely removing the soft panel topassembly 12 from the vehicle 16. Folding the soft panel top assembly 12between a closed position and an open position is also achievablewithout the occupant needing to leave the vehicle and eliminates removaland storage of roof panels from the vehicle. Once cycled to the openposition, the soft panel top assembly 12 also does not require strappingthe assembly down to maintain open air positioning. Further, the softpanel top assembly 12 includes built in stops 10, e.g., bump stops, toprevent over cycling past the desired open position.

The soft panel top assembly 12 has a pivotal portion indicated generallyat 24 (FIGS. 7 and 13) for pivoting the soft panel top assembly 12between the deployed or closed position and a stowed or open position.The assembly 12 geometry generally follows the hardtop 14 contours andseals against the hardtop's bulb seal. When the soft panel top assembly12 is cycled between the closed/open position, the soft panel topassembly 12 remains in the sealing engagement with the hard top roofportion's 14 bulb seal, generally indicated at sealing portion 26. Whenthe soft panel top assembly 12 is in the closed position the soft paneltop assembly 12 also seals with the vehicle windshield frame's 18 bulbseal.

The soft panel top assembly 12 has two door rails 28 each operablyconnected to a respective side sport bar 20 of the vehicle 16. The doorrails 28 provide a sealing surface for the driver/passenger doors of thevehicle 16 as well as pivot points for the pivotal portion 24 of thesoft panel top assembly 12. Each door rail 28 has a plurality ofclamping surfaces (FIG. 6), including, at least one pair of clampingsurfaces 30 forming an upper surface extending inwardly over the top ofthe sport bar 20 and a bottom surface extending inwardly under thebottom of the sport bar 20. The pair of clamping surfaces 30 attach thefront portion of the door rails 28 to the vehicle 16 using threadedmushroom knob fasteners 32 extending through the pair of the clampingsurfaces 30 with the sport bar 20 sandwiched therebetween. Another ofplurality of clamping surfaces is a rear clamping surface 31 extendinginwardly under the bottom of the sport bar 20 to attach the rear portionof the door rails 28 to the vehicle 16 using threaded knob fastenersextending through the rear clamping surface 31 and rear header, as willbe explained in greater detail below, with the sport bar 20 sandwichedtherebetween.

At least one bracket 34 is fixedly connected by fasteners to both of thetwo door rails 28 to pivotably connect the pivotable portion 24 to thedoor rails 28. The brackets 34 provide a forward pivot point 36 and arearward pivot point 37 for the pivotal portion 24 of the soft panel topassembly 12.

The pivotal portion 24 of the soft panel top assembly 12 has two siderail linkage assemblies generally shown at 38 (FIG. 10), each includingthe bracket 34, a first link 40, a second link 42 and a third link 44.The first link 42 is fixedly connected to a header 46 or first bowmember. The other end of the first link 40 is pivotably connected to thebracket 34 at the forward pivot point 36. The second link 42 ispivotably connected to the first link 40 at a third pivot point 48. Theother end of the second link 42 is pivotably connected to the third link44 at a fourth pivot point 50. The third link 42 is also pivotablyconnected to the bracket 34 at the rearward pivot point 37.

A bushing and screw arrangement 52 provides for all of the respectivepivotal connections such that the side rail linkage assemblies 38 freelypivot to allow the top to be cycled open or closed. However, alternativepivot joint mechanisms can be used without departing from the scope ofthe invention depending on the particular application.

The pivotable portion 24 also has a first fabric management bow 54fixedly connected to the third links 44 by a plurality of fasteners 56.The soft panel top assembly 12 is also provided with a second fabricmanagement bow 58 fixedly connected to a rear header member 60. Thesecond fabric management bow 58 does not move with opening/closing ofthe assembly 12. Rather, the second bow 58 is operably connected withfasteners, e.g. bolted, in sockets or recesses formed in the rear header60. The first and second management bows 54, 58 extend in the cross carposition. The combination of linkage assemblies 38 with the fabricmanagement bows 54, 58 manages the top cover 62 as the soft panel topassembly 12 folds to the open position, which is yet another significantadvantage (FIGS. 12-13). The fabric management bows 54, 58 also minimizefabric movement in the closed position, which will act to alleviate windflap noise, in addition to managing fabric during operation and in theopen position.

Preferably, the ends of the first link 40 of the side rail linkageassemblies 38 extend into the first bow member 46 and are securedthereto with a second fastener 64. At least one fastener 64 is usedwhich in this embodiment is a nut and bolt combination, but it is withinthe scope of the invention that other fasteners, such as rivets, may beused as well.

The first bow 46 is adapted for releasable attachment to the windshieldframe 18 for opening and closing the soft panel top assembly 12. Thefirst bow 46 has at least attachment mechanisms 66, e.g., latches orother suitable attachment mechanism, connected thereto that have a handactuated clamping arrangement to selectively connect to the windshieldframe 18. The first bow 46 is preferably molded plastic with steelreinforcement on the bottom and comprises two attachment mechanisms 66,most preferably, latches, which when in the closed position attach toopposing features, e.g., metal loops 67, generally located under thevisors of the vehicle, and when cycling to the open position, travelwith the first bow 46. The attachment mechanisms 46 provide for securingclosure of the top to the existing windshield frame 18 and are readilyreleased by an operator for opening of the soft panel top assembly 12.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the third link 44 has atleast one first curved portion generally indicated at 68 (FIG. 10), and,the first link 40 has at least one second curved portion generallyindicated at 70. Generally, the bracket 34 has at least one raisedportion generally indicated at 72 to position the rearward pivot point37 at a predetermined height. The linkage assemblies 38 also include thelimiting stop 10 feature operable to keep the soft panel top assembly 12a predetermined distance away from the hard top 14. The combination ofthe linkage assembly 38 geometry, link geometries, and limiting stops 10coordinate to provide the height needed for the pivotal portion 24 tolay above and near the hard top portion 14 without touching the top 14when in the open position. Thus, there is a predetermined clearancegenerally shown at “A” between the linkage assembly 38 and the hard topportion 14 and a predetermined clearance indicated generally at “B”between the third link 44 and hard top portion 14 to prevent scratchesor damage.

The limiting stop 10 is generally triangular, e.g., generally aright-angle triangle shape and/or scalene triangle, and is connected tothe first link 40 for movement with the first link 40 between a stowedstop condition (FIG. 10) and deployed stop condition (FIG. 11) where avertex of the limiting top 10 contacts the fixed bracket 34 to hold thefirst link 40 at an angle for keeping the pivotal portion 24 off thesurface of the hard top portion 14.

The first fabric management bow 54 is connected to an inwardlyprojecting attachment portion 74 of the first link 40 by the pluralityof fasteners 56. The fasteners used in this embodiment are a nut andbolt combination, but it is within the scope of the invention that otherfasteners, such as rivets, may be used as well. The top cover 62 isconnected to the first fabric management bow 54. In accordance with oneembodiment, the first fabric management bow 54 is a round bow thatslides into a pocket sewed into the top cover 48. In accordance withanother embodiment, an extrusion is stitched or sewn onto the top cover48.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment the first fabric managementbow 54 and second fabric management bow 58 have a channel 76 (FIG. 10)along the length of the bows 54, 58 that is open on at least one end toreceive an extrusion. The extrusion is connected to the top cover 62,e.g., bonded or adhered thereto with adhesive, and/or sewn, etc, and theextrusion is slid into the channel 76. The channel 76 is generallycircular in cross section, or any other alternative cross sectionssuitable for attaching the cover 62 to the bows 54, 58.

A first fabric management bow 78 having a preferred channel 80 crosssection is illustrated in FIG. 15 according to another embodiment. Theextrusion includes a larger portion 84, e.g., larger diameter bulbousportion, received within an inner chamber of the channel 80 such thatthe extrusion 84 cannot work its way out laterally through a smalleropening 82 of the channel 80. At least one, preferably two, flanges 86generally extend from the larger bulbous portion for attachment to thetop cover 62, e.g., bonded or adhered thereto with adhesive, and/orsewn. After the cover 62 is attached the extrusion 84 is slid into thechannel 80 along the length of the channel 80 and the first fabricmanagement bow 78 is then connected to the attachment portion 74 of thefirst link 40 and the plurality of fasteners 56 applied. The secondfabric management bow 58 is identical in this embodiment to the firstfabric management bow 78.

Depending on the application the extruded materials are generallypolypropylene, polyethylene, flexible polyvinyl chloride, structuralacrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastic elastomer of operabledensities or other material suitable for making the extrusion (bulbportion and attachment flange). If more than one extruded material isused the extruded materials are compatible materials to melt bond to oneanother under pressure depending on the application.

The rear header 60 has a plurality of attachment features for couplingto the sports bars 20, cross member 91, and hard top cover portion 14.At least two locating brackets 88 are connected to the bottom of therear header 60 by at least two fasteners 93 (FIG. 15). The locatingbrackets 88 interface with the hardtop 14. In particular, the locatingbrackets 88 have a portion that fits under a portion of the existinghardtop structure at the leading edge flange 89 toward the corners.

At least two feet 90 are integrally formed with the bottom of the rearheader 60 and rest on top of the cross member 91. The feet 90 include alocating lip 92 that hangs over the front edge of the cross member 91generally toward the center of the vehicle. These feet 92 generally setthe height with the hardtop 14.

The rear header 60 also includes two attachment members 94 that areintegrally formed with the header and attached to the top of opposingsport bars 20 by second mushroom knobs 96. The first and second mushroomknobs 92, 96 are most preferably the same type of knob andinterchangeable.

Thus, the rear header 60 is operably attached to the sports bars in twolocations on the cross member 91, in two locations (1 per side) on thefore/aft sport bars 20, and interfaces with the hardtop 14 using the twolocating brackets 88. No modification to the hardtop 14, no drilling ofany holes, or changing of any existing components is required. Themanufactures front cockpit panels are removed and the soft panel topassembly 12 is installed. In a preferred embodiment, the soft panel topassembly 12 ships as a module except that the two locating brackets 88are connected to the underside of the rear header 60 and extends tounder the hardtop 14 leading edge flange. Alternatively, the brackets 88are also shipped attached. The process for installation of the softpanel top assembly 12 includes removing existing top and then aligningthe clamping surfaces 30 of the two door rails 28 with the sport bars 20adjacent apertures for the mushroom knobs 32, aligning the attachmentmembers 94 of the rear header 60 on top of the sports bars 20 adjacentapertures for the second mushroom knobs 96, and/or resting the two feet90 of the rear header 60 on top of the cross member 91. The threadedmushroom knobs 32, 96 are turned to attach the soft panel top assembly12 to the sport bars 20. The two locating brackets 88 are positionedalong the leading edge flange 89 and bolted to the underside of the rearheader 60 using pre-drilled holes in the rear header 88. At least twothreaded fasteners 106 extend from the bottom of the cross member 91and/or speaker bar into pre-drilled holes on the underside of the rearheader. The knobs clamp against the respective surfaces and have a pinportion extending into the respective components. As the respectiveknobs are tightened and screwed into the cross member 91 and sports bars20 of the vehicle 16, the knobs connect the assembly 12 to the vehicleand also press the rear header 60 against the hard top cover seal 26.

The rear header 60 is a rear header closeout operable to engage at leastone seal existing on the hard top portion 14 to provide a weatherproofseal under compression, e.g., bulb seal, gasket or other suitable sealto prevent leaks between the hard top portion 14 and assembly 12. It iswithin the scope of the invention to manufacture the rear header 60 as awireframe (e.g., bent wire frame welded together), lightweight moldedplastic, or other suitable lightweight material and configurationsand/or combinations thereof suitable to withstand predetermined strengthrequirements and to sealingly engage with the hard top portion 14,depending on the particular application without departing from the scopeof the invention. Most preferably, the rear header 60 has threelightweight molded pieces operably connected together.

In a preferred embodiment, a plastic retainer 108 slides over a metalbacking 110 piece connected by a fastener to keep the cover 62 connectedon the rear header 60, e.g., the cover is sandwiched. Similarly, thefront header 46 has a similar metal backing and plastic retainerconnecting the cover 62 to the header 46, e.g., the cover is sandwiched.The cover is also stitched or sewn 112 along edges. The cover 62 or softskin or top cover of the soft panel top assembly 12 is fabric. The cover62 is secured to the rear header 62 front header 46 without the need forsnaps.

Most preferably, the seal 26 of the hard top portion 14 is a bulb seal.The seal 60 generally follows the contour toward the front of the hardtop portion 14, e.g., a forward projecting stepped portion of the hardtop with the seal operably attached along a top surface thereof. Therear header 52 geometry generally follows the hard top portion 14contours and seals against the hardtop's bulb seal 26.

The soft panel top cover assembly 12 also has a cable assembly 98located on both side that are fore/aft cables to provide tension alongthe sides of the fabric (FIG. 9). The cable 98 is operably connected tothe header 46 and also to the rear header 60.

The soft panel top cover assembly 12 also has seals, most preferably,foam seals. At least two front corner seals 100 (FIG. 5) are operablyconnected, e.g., with adhesive, toward the forward end of the door rails28 near a windshield seal. The soft panel top cover assembly 12 also hasseals, most preferably, foam seals. At least two front header seals 104are operably connected, e.g., with adhesive, near both ends of theheader 46. At least two rear corner seals 102 are operably connected,e.g., with adhesive, toward the rearward end of the door rails 28 nearthe rear header 60 (FIG. 6). Optionally, a lip seal is operablyconnected to the cover 62 along at least the rear edge surface of therear header 60. By way of example, the lip seal is sewn and/or bonded tothe cover 62 and sandwiched between the cover 62 and rear header 60 atthe rear of the assembly 12 near the current hardtop seal 26.

The left half of the soft panel top cover assembly 12 and correspondingfeatures are substantially mirror image/symmetrical to the right half ofthe soft panel top cover assembly 12 and corresponding features depictedin the figures.

It is understood that the present invention is additionally suitable fora two door or four door vehicle.

By utilizing the pivot points attached to the door rails this allows theoperator to quickly cycle the top from the closed position to the opensunroof position without removing the top. The operator would then beable to cycle the top from the open position to the closed position andlatch the top just as easily. The operator does not need to leave thevehicle in order to operate the top. The whole top is made lightweightby using the rear header (wireframe and/or molded rear header) and byusing minimal frame and mostly soft goods. This helps with ease ofinstallation and ease of cycle efforts. The soft panel top assemblyenables the occupant to fold the top back to gain an open air experiencewithout removing the top and can mount to the hardtop withoutmodification to the vehicle. The soft panel top assembly has significantbenefits over typical removable hard top cockpit panels and does notrequire modification to the vehicle or hard top roof portion in any way.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the inventionare intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A soft panel top assembly for a vehicle having awindshield frame with side members extending therefrom and a crossmember operably connecting the side members adjacent to the rear of afront cockpit of the vehicle, the soft panel top assembly comprising:two door rails attached to the side members of the vehicle; a pivotableportion pivotally connected to the at least two door rails; a headerconnected to the pivotable portion and adapted to selectively connect tothe windshield frame; a rear header operably coupled to the side membersand the cross member, said rear header in sealing engagement with a sealof a hardtop roof portion to provide a weather tight seal; and a coverthat is a soft skin roof top cover, said cover operably connected to theheader and rear header, where pivoting the pivotable portion allows thecover to move between a closed position and an open position.
 2. Thesoft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivotable portionfurther comprises two side rail linkage assemblies to provide thepivotable connection with the two door rails and allow the cover tobetween a closed position and an open position.
 3. The soft panel topassembly of claim 2, further comprising a bracket, wherein a respectiveone of the brackets are each connected to a respective one of the twodoor rails to provide pivot points on each of the two door rails.
 4. Thesoft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivotable portionfurther comprises: a bracket fixedly connected to each door rail; a siderail linkage assembly pivotably connected to each bracket to move thesoft panel top assembly between the open and closed positions; and afirst fabric management bow operably connected to each side rail linkageassembly and to the cover to manage fabric of the cover during movementof the cover between the open and closed positions and to minimizefabric movement when the soft panel top assembly is in the closedposition.
 5. The soft panel top assembly of claim 4, further comprisinga second fabric management bow operably fixedly connected to at leastminimize fabric movement when the soft panel top assembly is in theclosed position.
 6. The soft panel top assembly of claim 4, wherein theside rail linkage assemblies each further comprise: a first link fixedlyconnected to the header, said first link also pivotably connected to thebracket at a forward pivot point on the bracket, said first linkpivotable about the forward pivot point; a third link pivotablyconnected to the bracket at a rearward pivot point on the bracket, saidthird link pivotable about the rearward pivot point; a second linkpivotably connected to the first link first link at a third pivot point,said second link also pivotably connected to the third link at a fourthpivot point, and wherein the bracket, first link, second link, and thirdlink arrangement coordinates pivotable movement of the pivotable portionbetween the open and closed positions.
 7. The soft panel top assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the side rail linkage assemblies are operablyconfigured to not contact the hardtop roof portion when in the openposition to prevent damage.
 8. The soft panel top assembly of claim 7,wherein the side rail linkage assemblies each further comprise alimiting stop fastened to at least one of the links to keep the soft toproof assembly, other than the cover, a predetermined distance above thehardtop roof portion.
 9. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one front corner foam seal affixed to each doorrail; at least one rear corner foam seal affixed to each door rail; andat least two front header seals affixed to both ends of the header toprovide weather resistant seals.
 10. The soft panel top assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the two door rails each have a plurality of clampingsurfaces, extending toward the vehicle interior for connecting each ofsaid two door rails to a respective one of the side members of thevehicle using a respective mushroom knob fastener, wherein the sidemembers are fore/aft sport bars.
 11. The soft panel top assembly ofclaim 10, the plurality of clamping surfaces further comprises: a pairof opposing clamping surfaces to attach a front portion of each doorrail to the respective sport bar; and a rear clamping surface to attacha rear portion of each door rail to the respective sport bar.
 12. Thesoft panel top assembly of claim 11, wherein the rear header furthercomprises two attachment members, each attachment member located on topof the sport bar as the rear clamping surface is below the sport bar,wherein one mushroom knob fastener connects each attachment member andrear clamping surface to the respective sport bar.
 13. The soft paneltop assembly of claim 1, wherein the rear header further comprises atleast two feet located on top of the cross member and setting apredetermined height for the rear header.
 14. The soft panel topassembly of claim 1, further comprising at least two locating bracketsconnected to the bottom of the rear header and partly fitting under aleading edge flange of the hardtop portion to assist in locating andsecuring the rear header position.
 15. The soft panel top assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising at least two threaded fasteners that astightened further press the rear header down against the hardtop roofportion seal.
 16. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein thepivotable portion pivots with a portion of the cover between the closedposition and the open position to provide an open air feel of the softpanel top assembly without completely removing the soft panel topassembly from the vehicle.
 17. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1,wherein the cover is operably connected to the rear header by anextrusion and metal backing within the rear header.
 18. The soft paneltop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first fabric managementbow and a second fabric management bow having a channel to retain amolded extrusion connected to the cover, said first and second fabricmanagement bows manage fabric of the cover during movement of the coverbetween the open and closed positions and minimize fabric movement whenthe soft panel top assembly is in the closed position.
 19. A soft paneltop assembly for a vehicle, comprising: two door rails attached to sidemembers of the vehicle; two side rail linkage assemblies; two brackets,wherein a respective bracket is connected to a respective one of the twodoor rails for pivotally connecting a respective one of the two siderail linkage assemblies to each door rail; a header connected betweenthe two side rail linkage assemblies and adapted to selectively connectto a windshield frame; a rear header that is a lightweight header andoperably coupled to the side members and the cross member, said rearheader in sealing engagement with a seal of a hardtop roof portion toprovide a weather tight seal; a cover that is a soft skin roof topcover, said cover operably connected to the header, rear header and twoside rail linkage assemblies, where pivoting the pivotable portionallows the cover to move between a closed position and an open position;and a first fabric management bow operably connected between the siderail linkage assemblies and to the cover to manage fabric of the coverduring movement of the cover between the open and closed positions andto minimize fabric movement when the soft panel top assembly is in theclosed position.
 20. A soft panel top assembly for a vehicle having awindshield frame with side members extending therefrom and a crossmember operably connecting the side members adjacent to the rear of afront cockpit of the vehicle, the soft panel top assembly comprising:two door rails attached to the side members of the vehicle; a pivotableportion pivotally connected to the at least two door rails; a headerconnected to the pivotable portion and adapted to selectively connect tothe windshield frame; a rear header operably coupled to the side membersand the cross member, said rear header in sealing engagement with a sealof a hardtop roof portion to provide a weather tight seal, wherein therear header is a lightweight molded material and has rear geometry whichfollows the contour of the hardtop roof portion and to seal against thehardtop roof portion's seal, wherein the seal is a bulb seal; a coverthat is a soft skin roof top cover, said cover operably connected to theheader and rear header, where pivoting the pivotable portion allows thecover to move between a closed position and an open position; and afirst fabric management bow and a second fabric management bow eachhaving a channel to retain a molded extrusion connected to the cover,said first and second fabric management bows manage fabric of the coverduring movement of the cover between the open and closed positions andminimize fabric movement when the soft panel top assembly is in theclosed position.